Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1887-09-24

through the open door,
"No news of the advance, Bessie dearY"
mo, uncle" she replied, with a sigh, and
her blue eyes filling with tears, for she was
thinking of one of whom there was also no
news.
"Well, never mind. These things take Il
little time, especially with our soldiers, vii,
move SO slowly. l dare say that there was
some delay waiting for guns or ammunition
or something. l expect that we shall hear
something by to-night"-
He got as far as this, when suddenly the fig
ure of Jantje appeared, flying up the passage
in the extremity of terror and haste.
@De Booren, baas. de Boorenl" The Beers,
master, the Boers) he shouted. "The Beers
are coming with a wagon, twenty of them or
more, with Frank Muller at their head Oh
his black horse, and Hans Coetzee, and the
wizard with one eye with him. l was hiding
behind a tree at the end Of tine avenue, and l
saw them coming over the rise They Me
going to take the place" and, without waiting
to give any further explanations, he slipped
through the house and hid himself up some
where at the back out Of the way, for Jantje,
like most Hottentots, was a sad coward.
The old man stopped rubbing his head and
stared at Bessie, who was standing pale and
trembling in the doorway Just then he
heard the patter of running feet on the drive
outside, and looked out Of the window. 1t
was caused by the passing of some half dozen
kafiirs who were working on the place, and
who, on catching sight of the Beers, had
promptly thrown down their tools and were
flying to tho hills. Even as they passed u
shot was fired somewhere from tho direction
of the avenue, and the last of the Kaffirs.
lad of about twelve, suddenly threw up his
hands and pitched forward Oh his face, with
u bullet between his shoulderblades
Bessie heard the shout of Good shot, good
shoti" and the brutal laughter that greeted
bis fall, and the tramping of the horses as
they came up the drive.
"Oh, uncleln she said "what shall we DOR
The old man made no answer at the mo-
ment, but going to rack upon the wall,
reached down a Westley- Richards falling
block rife that hung there. Then he sat
down in a wooden arm chair that faced the
French window opening on the veranda, and
beckoned to her to come to him.
1--WE will meet them So" he said. "They
shall see that we are not afraid OF them.
Don't be frightened, dear, they will not dare
to harm us; they will be afraid of the conse-
quences of harming English peo le."
The words were scarcely out OF his mouth
when the cavalcade began to appear in front
of the window, led, as Jantje had said, by
Frank Muller on his black horse, accompanied
by Hans Coetzee on the fat pony and the vii
laipous looking Hendrix mounted on monde
script sort of animal, and carrying gun and
an assegai in his hand. Behind these were Q
body of about fifteen or sixteen armed men,
among whom Silas Croft recognized most Of
his neighbors, by whose side he had lived for
years in peace and amity.
Opposite the house they stopped and began
looking about. They, could not see into the
room at once on account of the bright light
outside and the shadow within.
II fancy you will find the birds flown,
nephew" said the fat voice of Hans Coetzee.
"They have got warning of your little visit i"
"They cannot he far" answered Muaer. Il
have had them watched, and know that they
have not left the place. Get down, uncle,
and look in the house, and you too, Hendrix" I"
The kafiir obeyed with alacrity, tumbling
out of his saddle with all the grace Of a sack
of GOALS but the Boer hesitated.
"Uncle Silas is an angry man, be ventured; !;
"he might shoot if he found me poking about
his house."
down and do us l bid you!"
"Ah, what q devil of a man." murmured
the unfortunate Hans as he hurried to obey.
Meanwhile Hendrix the one eyed had
jumped upon the veranda and was peering
through the windows.
"Here they are, baas; here they are!" he
sang out; 'the old cock and the pullet, tool'
and he gave kick to the window, which, be-
inor Nd wild in y
the old man sitting there in his wooden arm
chair with Bessie standing at his side, his rifle
OIL his knees. and holding bis fair haired niece
by the hand. Frank Muller dismounted and
came on to the veranda, and behind him
crowded up a dozen or more of his followers
"What is it that you want, Frank Muller,
that you come to my house with all these
armed mena" asked Silas Croft from his
chair.
~ cal upon you, Silas Croft, to surrender to
take your trial as land betrayer and q rebel
against the republic" was the answer. II am
sorry" he added, with. a bow toward Bessie,
ON whom his eyes had been fixed all the time,
ito be obliged to take you prisoner in tho
presence of lady, but my duty gives me no
choice"
II do not know what you mean" said the
old man. ~ am subject Of Queen Victoria
and an Englishman. How then, can rebel
against any republici am an Englishman,
l say" he went on with rising anger, speaking
so high that his powerful voice rang until
every Boer there could hear it, "and ao-
knowledge the authority Of no repub-
lies. This is my house. and l order you
to leave it. claim my rights as an English
mani
"Here," interrupted Muller, coldly, ENG
lishmen have no rights, except such as we
choose to allow them"
"Shoot himi" cried a voice.
"Treat him as Buskes treated Van der Lin.
den at Potchefstroomp cried another.
"Yes, make him swallow the same pill that
we gave to DR.. Barber" put in a third.
"Silas Croft, are you going to surrender, n
asked Muller, in the same cold voice.
"No!" thundered the old man in his English
pride. Il surrender to no rebels in arms
against the queen. l will shoot the first man
who tries to lay finger on mel" and he rose
to his feet and lifted his rifle.
"Shall | shoot him, baasa-shall I shoot
himg" asked the one eyed Hendrix, snackine
his lips at the thought, and fddling with the